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NBC Sports PR today tweeted that Sunday's NBC Sports broadcast of the Rapids 2-1 win at Philadelphia saw 124,000 viewers for the 2.5 hour telecast and 145,000 for the two-hour game coverage. These numbers represent an increased of 82% and 113%, respectively, from Fox Soccer's previous average of 68,000 viewers.

The viewers, which peaked at 211k from 3:30-3:45 MT (isn't that about the time Jaime Castrillon scored?), were also 51% higher than NBC Sports first-ever MLS broadcast last week when the New York Red Bull lost to Dallas 2-1 in Texas.

The Class VI supporters group has been hosting an online podcast for the past four years called, " Six Questions with Class VI." In the first installment of 2012, Craig de Aragon talks to defender Drew Moor about the first game, new teammates, and new season. Give yourself about 17-18 minutes to hear Drew talk to Craig by CLICKING HERE.

Rapids captain Pablo Mastroeni took a knock to the head on Saturday and had to come out of the game as a precaution. He passed the cognitive tests on Monday - which was another sign that he did not have a concussion - and was cleared to return to training today.

However, he head was growing by the hour...

If you're going to a theater show in downtown Denver, or are maybe just driving on 14th street, take a look up as you approach Larimer, Lawrence, Arapahoe, or Curtis Streets. You won't be able to miss the seven-story wallscape of Mastroeni on the side of The Curtis Hotel, right across from the Denver Center for the Performaning Arts. It took the crew nearly four hours to lower and affix this beast today. CLICK HERE FOR MORE PHOTOS.

There's a fun and lively spirit around the complex on the day before the season opener. Take for instance this morning, when Technical Director Paul Bravo walked into his office to see it filled with hundreds, if not thousands, of pairs of socks. When cleaning out the equipment room this winter, the staff had uncovered boxes upon boxes of never before used socks. They waited for a chance to spring them on someone before donating them, and Bravo was the target this morning.

Oscar Pareja did an interview with the Denver Post's Spanish publication, Viva Colorado, in Spanish. You can see he's more comfortable expressing his passion in his native language. Among the questions about style of play, philosophy, etc., he was asked about trying to grow the Hispanics fanbase. Here's what he told Viva Colorado, comparing his youth to what he's hoping can happen in the U.S.:

"We wore our team's jersey and we gave our children the team's flag. We argued with our uncles and our cousins about which team was the best. Give that heritage to your child. He does not have the opportunity to watch your country's team play. Give him or her the opportunity to feel that passion by watching the Rapids."

Read the interview in ENGLISH or SPANISH. Watch the interview in Spanish below:

Not long after Thursday practice ended, rookie Tony Cascio brought out his new remote controlled plane to fly around - inside the stadium. Eddie Ababio, Davy Armstrong, and Josh Janniere went out to watch. We got word of this and ran out to film their fun - and became part of the video. Watch till the end.

Rapids week continued Monday when the Colorado Rapids were guests at the Denver Nuggets game at Pepsi Center. Forward Omar Cummings delivered the game ball, and then the players were introduced on the court, escorted by the Nuggets Dancers. Representing the Rapids were 'keeper Chris Sharpe, Quincy Amarikwa, Andre Akpan, Omar, Tony Cascio, and Academy players Dillon Serna and Shane O'Neill.

A highlight and memorable moment was when Rocky - the Nuggets famed mascot - walked out in a Rapids burgundy home jersey and got the players involved in tossing Rapids t-shirts and mini soccer balls into the stands. CLICK HERE FOR MORE PHOTOS

Many know that Colorado Rapids President Tim Hinchey has an extensive background in professional sports. Before he joined the Rapids, he was most recently Vice President of Commercial for English club, Derby County. If you follow Tim's tweets, you know he's still a passionate supporter of the Rams.

Tim was interviewed by sports business website iSportconnect to discuss the business side of the sport - and even comparing MLS / Colorado to Derby / the Championship. CLICK HERE FOR THE INTERVIEW